Wasn't there a survey of bike buyer's factors in deciding to purchase bike X and something like 80% of buyers bought a bike based on its looks? I can't remember the details, but I recall how surprised I was the high percentage..

At any rate, this bike will most likely never be sold in Canada, but a digital speedometer that can be switched from mph to km/h is encouraging.

Article was written by Michael Uhlarik, not wes or grant. He's a motorcycle designer/consultant who sometimes writes opinion pieces on HFL. Not sure exactly what he's designed, but a quick google says the Yamaha TZR 50, MT-03 and 2003 YZF-M1.

Style is subjective.. some like the looks, some don't. It just appears to some of us who want to like this bike that they put all their resources in the mechanicals but not much into styling.. and as we all know, when it comes to bikes, looks are important and are a key factor in the bike buying decision.

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Yup.

And legions of marketing wonks backed by corporate millions to remind and inform of "zee korrect schtyle" if your taste begins to falter and stray.

Witness: 80% of riders happy to choose a ride in the the same manner their wife buys a skirt.

Article was written by Michael Uhlarik, not wes or grant. He's a motorcycle designer/consultant who sometimes writes opinion pieces on HFL. Not sure exactly what he's designed, but a quick google says the Yamaha TZR 50, MT-03 and 2003 YZF-M1.

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If those are his claim to fame, then OK. The M1 is the only decent looking bike in the group IMO. Styling is subjective though.

And legions of marketing wonks backed by corporate millions to remind and inform of "zee korrect schtyle" if your taste begins to falter and stray.

Witness: 80% of riders happy to choose a ride in the the same manner their wife buys a skirt.

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Well... not everyone is as enlightened as you are.

In any case, I don't know what you are getting all bent out of shape about. I think everyone wants these guys to succeed and greatly admire their effort (including the HFL guys). I don't think it is ugly at all - actually, it seems elegant and understated. My point was simply that it seems a bit too understated.

New bike, new exciting tech, first American company making a non cruiser in ages, blah blah... you'd want the styling to be a bit more aggressive and personal, especially if you are hoping to compete in the price space these guys are most likely going to go for. If it were me running the company, I'd rather be polarizing than anonymous, especially when I am a new marquee without any kind of prestige or racing history.

Put this next to a Sprint GT and show them to someone who is not on top of all things motorcycling and, well, they will likely not think one is more special than the other. Put it next to a Multistrada 1200 (just an example, pick something else if you like) and there is no chance they will not be moved by the Ducati's design. They might hate it, or they'll love it, but chances are they will not be indifferent to it. My gut feeling is that a lot of people will be indifferent to the design of the current Motus - its current styling does not get my blood rushing. It looks functional and well proportioned, but it is lacking in inspiration, in pizazz. Even a splash of color here and there would help a lot - right now it's all gray and more gray. Maybe production bikes will sport a more lively livery.

I could very well be wrong, and maybe their next model will be much more aggressive since they are going for a naked roadster rather than a tourer, and maybe the thing will ride so awesomely well nothing else will matter.

Some things I notice when I look at these pics: The front fairing neatly mimics the Givi V35's. I don't know if they're planning on including a "chin" to the fairing, as was in the original sketch. I also think it's interesting that they put V35's on the bike; they're certainly a popular bag, and Kawasaki, Suzuki, Aprilia all use them as "factory" luggage on some of their models (Ninja 1000, Bandit 1250ST, Mana, respectively). The drawback is that unlike other factory luggage systems (BMW, Yamaha FJR, Kawi C-14), the givis leave behind an unsightly (to some) tubular rack. Perhaps these are simply part of the prototyping process, but with the fairing styled as it is, the implication is otherwise. I'm curious to see her with her "pants down."

Also, for those in the Daytona Area, this bike will be at the Progressive IMS at the Ocean Center at 1400 on 10-Mar-2011. Admission is free as it was last year.*

* Of course last year it was free because all the big manufacturers are at the Speedway with their free demos, and all that was at the IMS last year were Zero Motorcycles (with free demos, though), stretched 'Busas and ass-less chaps. So it will be worth showing up to be there at 2 o'clock.

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I like it. I like the organic lines. It'll look good in red!

An American Sport-Touring motorcycle with a torque-monster V4!

I'd love one of these for the type of riding I do! ( I would like some beefy crash bars to protect the exhaust, though ).

Oh, and the Givis? I'd prefer them over proprietary bags any day. More versatility.

And legions of marketing wonks backed by corporate millions to remind and inform of "zee korrect schtyle" if your taste begins to falter and stray.

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Not really, when BMW recently tried the vertical headlight arrangement as the face of the 1200ST, and by all accounts it was an excellent sport touring bike, its polarizing styling eventually doomed it and the bike was discontinued.

I hope the Motus succeeds, but some of us find its styling bland and apparently so does a moto styling expert writing for HFL. Ultimately, its retail price will be a key factor in its success. Time will tell.

I hope the Motus succeeds, but some of us find its styling bland and apparently so does a moto styling expert writing for HFL. Ultimately, its retail price will be a key factor in its success. Time will tell.[/QUOTE]

A couple items to consider: Lots of enthusiasts are keen to 'buy American' and I want to see the Motus in something other than silver. Look at the new Pikes Peak MS Ducati. I'm guessing the Motus they show at Daytona will not be silver. Bruce

I hope the Motus succeeds, but some of us find its styling bland . . .

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You see bland, I see understated, which is far superior to the various abominations rolling out of other factories these days. The only thing denting my enthusiasm for the Motus is the (assumed) likelihood that it will be priced beyond my means.

While I don't think the styling is groundbreaking, I do think silver is a lot of the problem. I'd like to see it in more exciting colors.

Having said that, the styling certainly wouldn't stop me from buying it. But then again, I've owned an R1200 RT and a yellow 1150 GS I'm most concerned about how the design of the fairing affects airflow, again referencing my purchase of multiple BMWs over the years (including the butt ugly 1200) because no one handles air management like BMW. So I'm really hoping that the styling - while not groundbreaking - is effective at its primary job of keeping the rider in a non turbulent, relatively quiet bubble, while keeping engine heat channeled away. In fact, I'm seriously interested in test riding and possibly purchasing this bike, provided it hits the market significantly below the 30k + price point I'm afraid it is going to debut at.

You see bland, I see understated, which is far superior to the various abominations rolling out of other factories these days. The only thing denting my enthusiasm for the Motus is the (assumed) likelihood that it will be priced beyond my means.

In any case, I don't know what you are getting all bent out of shape about. I think everyone wants these guys to succeed and greatly admire their effort (including the HFL guys). I don't think it is ugly at all - actually, it seems elegant and understated. My point was simply that it seems a bit too understated.

New bike, new exciting tech, first American company making a non cruiser in ages, blah blah... you'd want the styling to be a bit more aggressive and personal, especially if you are hoping to compete in the price space these guys are most likely going to go for. If it were me running the company, I'd rather be polarizing than anonymous, especially when I am a new marquee without any kind of prestige or racing history.

Put this next to a Sprint GT and show them to someone who is not on top of all things motorcycling and, well, they will likely not think one is more special than the other. Put it next to a Multistrada 1200 (just an example, pick something else if you like) and there is no chance they will not be moved by the Ducati's design. They might hate it, or they'll love it, but chances are they will not be indifferent to it. My gut feeling is that a lot of people will be indifferent to the design of the current Motus - its current styling does not get my blood rushing. It looks functional and well proportioned, but it is lacking in inspiration, in pizazz. Even a splash of color here and there would help a lot - right now it's all gray and more gray. Maybe production bikes will sport a more lively livery.

I could very well be wrong, and maybe their next model will be much more aggressive since they are going for a naked roadster rather than a tourer, and maybe the thing will ride so awesomely well nothing else will matter.

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I've always loved naked bikes, I love to see the motor showcased, after all, what are our motorcycles except a motor and a couple of wheels. I think that's what I like about this bike. It's a sport touring bike with a fairing, BUT the motor is displayed in all it's glory.

I've even been put off the last few years with naked bikes, mainly because you can't even see the bloody motor anymore. Look at the last few years of Buell, I almost bought a Ulysses and no Lornce I don't buy based on looks, but the more I looked at it I couldn't get over that for a naked bike, where tf is the motor?

You mentioned the Multistrada. I like the look of the old one a lot better than the 1200. Again, at least with the 1100 you can see the motor showcased in that Ducati frame. But that's just me and that's why I like this bike, very little plastic to get in the way of staring at some nice engineering. Says something about the design of the bike as well with no water pumps, hoses etc. cluttering up the look.

Otherwise, expect some degree of nuty Italianness.....we aren't a breed for half measures.

I think blacked out in mattes or in bright ass red that the Motus would be pretty sexy. I like the lines of the bikes, and I've already stated...repeatedly....that the DI V-4 gives me wood every time I hear it.

I'm thinking if they black out the frame and (most/all) of the motor, dress up the header and pipes (thicker tubing or a shroud to give more visual thickness), it'll do a lot to get rid of that unfinished look. Not much they can do about the exposed spark plug connectors, but black on black would blend them better.

Dark colors will also look better on those rounded lines than silver..this bike would look much hotter in red, black or dark gray, etc.

And a bright MOTUS logo on the valve covers would help a bit too, just like the prototype pictures we saw earlier.

My only styling point: the two main foci of these guys are drivetrain performance and comfort. Follows from those functions. Which explains the use of some tried-but-true off-the-shelf parts. Can't fault anyone for that. And for the record I like everything about the styling, including the v35s, which it may have appeared that I criticized earlier.